It's 6am and I am sitting in a rowing boat bobbing on the Thames, trying to grip the oars with hands that are frozen stiff. I have to get up really early to get in my rowing training before I cycle to work in Victoria, London, for my job at ECPAT UK, the children's rights charity.

I developed my love for rowing last year, when I made the life-changing decision to row across the Atlantic to raise money for ECPAT UK. I skippered a boat of five women, most of whom had never rowed before, to take part in a gruelling race across the high seas. But it was worth it – we broke two world records (first all-female five and fastest female crew to row the Atlantic) and, best of all, we raised awareness of what ECPAT UK does and helped raise vital funds for our work with child victims of trafficking.

I am the charity's youth programme co-ordinator and one of the first tasks of the day is to make contact with all the members of the ECPAT UK youth group to make sure they know when and where we are meeting, and how to get there. The youth group is a weekly group for girls and young women who have been victims of trafficking. We meet to provide support, skills building and social activities. Many challenges are involved with this type of work; one is that trafficked children have often been treated so badly, not only by their traffickers but by the professionals who are meant to help them, that sometimes they do not trust adults.

I work with them, and others, including their social workers and lawyers, to build that bond of trust. Young people tell me that having someone they can trust is important for them to feel safe. This is why ECPAT UK is calling for a system of guardianship to be introduced for child victims of trafficking so they have someone to ensure their rights are upheld and to help them make the right decisions. Getting the British government to agree to do this is another challenge – perhaps more so than rowing an ocean — but we are working on it and are determined to succeed so as to improve the lives of victims of trafficking.

A typical afternoon at the youth group is usually pretty exciting. Activities include working on specific projects, such as creating a DVD, or doing something fun like a drumming workshop or improving confidence. A lot of the group know each other, but when a new member joins, we make them feel welcome. The young people say that being with others who have gone through the same experiences is really helpful and makes them feel less alone. Some of the young people bring their small children along to the group so there is always a lot going on during these sessions and plenty of noise! Before I leave work, I often check some of the girls got home safely – especially those who are new to London and cannot speak much English.

Around my work at ECPAT UK, I have to fit in an MA in play therapy. I want to use this learning to better help child victims of exploitation deal with their experiences and begin the long road to recovery, in particular young children who can express themselves through play scenarios.

When I finish writing my essay on human development and growth, it's off to the gym or for another bracing rowing session on a near-frozen Thames. I am training for some other awareness-raising adventures to fight against child trafficking and exploitation. Until then, I will keep working hard to support those who are victims of one of the most horrendous forms of modern day slavery – child trafficking.

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